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Anonymous User wrote:Was the associate who told you not to work there, by chance, black? Just wondering if we had the same guy, or if everyone hates their job?

Also, a friend interviewed same day, got a callback 3 days later, I haven't been rejected yet, so maybe they are holding onto my file.

Looks like disdain for cadwalader is ushering us into a post-racial america. We had different associates.

I figured it was the vaguest description I could give without outing the interviewer, as much as he hates his job, I'd hate to get him fired.

From what I've heard, pretty much no biglaw associate enjoys their jobs. This is total conjecture, but I think Cadwalader associates may be more willing to express their feelings honestly because the firm has a more "up front" culture.

Disagree. I've met lots of people during this recruiting cycle, and know many associates IRL, who are happy in BigLaw and genuinely enjoy what they are doing. They might not see themselves doing it forever, and they acknowledge the difficult parts of the lifestyle, but they are learning a lot and building good connections in environments that are fairly collaborative and full of intelligent peers. It's not all doom and gloom. Furthermore, many career paths are equally depressing at an entry-level, particularly the well-compensated ones (see: banking, consulting, medical residency, engineering). The grass is the same color everywhere.

Anonymous User wrote:From what I've heard, pretty much no biglaw associate enjoys their jobs. This is total conjecture, but I think Cadwalader associates may be more willing to express their feelings honestly because the firm has a more "up front" culture.

Disagree. I've met lots of people during this recruiting cycle, and know many associates IRL, who are happy in BigLaw and genuinely enjoy what they are doing. They might not see themselves doing it forever, and they acknowledge the difficult parts of the lifestyle, but they are learning a lot and building good connections in environments that are fairly collaborative and full of intelligent peers. It's not all doom and gloom. Furthermore, many career paths are equally depressing at an entry-level, particularly the well-compensated ones (see: banking, consulting, medical residency, engineering). The grass is the same color everywhere.

I find it somewhat improbable that the lifestyle -- at least the negative aspects of life at large law firms -- is markedly different at Cadwalader than at, say, Cravath, Sullivan & Cromwell, or Gibson Dunn.

Anonymous User wrote:From what I've heard, pretty much no biglaw associate enjoys their jobs. This is total conjecture, but I think Cadwalader associates may be more willing to express their feelings honestly because the firm has a more "up front" culture.

Disagree. I've met lots of people during this recruiting cycle, and know many associates IRL, who are happy in BigLaw and genuinely enjoy what they are doing. They might not see themselves doing it forever, and they acknowledge the difficult parts of the lifestyle, but they are learning a lot and building good connections in environments that are fairly collaborative and full of intelligent peers. It's not all doom and gloom. Furthermore, many career paths are equally depressing at an entry-level, particularly the well-compensated ones (see: banking, consulting, medical residency, engineering). The grass is the same color everywhere.

I find it somewhat improbable that the lifestyle -- at least the negative aspects of life at large law firms -- is markedly different at Cadwalader than at, say, Cravath, Sullivan & Cromwell, or Gibson Dunn.

You picked the shitty firms for qol, so of course they all suck. Try comparing those to Weil, or Cleary

Exactly the same. I was at a "sweatshop" firm last summer. My BFF in the whole world was a Cleary; another close friend is a midlevel at Cadwalader. All those firms, taken as a whole, are almost exactly the same in terms of "lifestyle"; however there are substantial differences in and among practice areas at all the firms.

Exactly the same. I was at a "sweatshop" firm last summer. My BFF in the whole world was a Cleary; another close friend is a midlevel at Cadwalader. All those firms, taken as a whole, are almost exactly the same in terms of "lifestyle"; however there are substantial differences in and among practice areas at all the firms.

Also, don't underestimate the effect that the morale of people around you can have on your own attitude. The substantive hours/work might be similar, but at some firms attorneys take more pride in their relationships with coworkers, mentors, and workplace. You're right, this does vary substantially from group to group within the firm.

I just finished up a summer at Cad and wanted to add in my two cents. I almost listened to the stories about how cad was a sweatshop that everyone hated when making my decision. I'm glad I didn't. I truly had a great time while I was there. Compared to my friends at other big firms, I built much stronger relationships with associates and partners. I got to work on a lot of awesome, substantive assignments that were challenging. I was able to walk into any partner's office to ask for help on an assignment without fear that they would look down on me. Associates were eager to get to know the summers and they showed up to all of our summer events.

I had offers at other firms without the Cad reputation, but I took the "gamble" because I liked everyone I met during my callback. It worked out really well and I am excited to go back there after I graduate. If you have any questions feel free to ask away.

Anonymous User wrote:when does their hiring committee meet? i just had my CB today and am really excited about the firm.

+1

They weren't kidding with how nice those offices are. I liked that people were very honest about the good and the bad. They didn't try and sugercoat it and painted what seemed like a fair picture of the firm and the culture. It certainly wouldn't be for everyone, but for what its worth, I think it would be a really good choice for me. Also excited to hear back (hopefully sometime next week)